HELP! I think I'm getting screwed!!!

[jppaeltz]

Okay so I took my new 88 FJ62 to a mechanic. We all thought it was in need of a new head gasket.
Today he told me that it needed a new motor. He gave me two options.

A used motor with 60,000 miles will cost $4300.00 installed.
However a new motor from Toyota is $4200.00 alone and then add an additional $1100.00 for the install.

This seems ridiculously high to me. I know you can get a nice used Chev 350 for $1400.00 with a core trade in.

Is this just because its a Toyota? Or should I look somewhere else to take my Land Cruiser???

HELP!!!

 

[RockDoc]

What does he say is wrong that it needs a new motor? My money is on find a new mechanic.
FWIW, you can find used motors in the classifieds here for south of $500 if you are patient.

 

[FJ60Cam]

What was/is wrong with it? All of those options are going to be expensive if a mechanic does the work.

Where are you? Maybe there's a cruiser shop nearby if you don't trust your mechanic (in which case you should leave anyway).

 

[jppaeltz]

He said because of the blown head gasket too much water got inside the motor and corroded the pistons and other mechanical parts. I live in Dallas, I know of Cool Cruisers of Texas is in the metroplex. The Cruiser is located in Amarillo (NW Texas). That's where Im from and bought the cruiser.

 

[Heartworm]

You have lots of options that are less money than what the mechanic quoted IF you are willing and able to do work yourself. I think the first step is get a more knowledgeable evaluation of what is wrong. You can get cheaper used motors. If you remove and replace the engine, you can get a machine shop to machine and rebuild for less that $2500 including your peripherals that you would install.

Buy a compression gauge and do a compression test and post the numbers for starters.

 

[IrollwithTojo]

your right about a 350 being pretty cheap to get, but then you have to get a transmission, transfer case, wiring harness, re gear (maybe) If you look all thosse things up it may be about the same or maybe less, I would go for it either way if the wallet allows.
My $0.02
-Carl

 

[jppaeltz]

I wasn't really thinking about a swap, I just am surprised on the differences in prices.

 

[hank14]

Where is he getting the used 60K motor for a $3200 (assuming the install costs on the new and used motors are the same)? That's steep! On the other hand, $4500 for a new Toyota motor doesn't surprise me at all.

I agree with others- find a used motor on your own and swap it out. I don't know of any good cruiser mechanics in the panhandle to help you.

It would be worth your time and $$ to haul it to DFW for one of the local cruiser guys to work on it- post up in the Lone Star Landcruiser page for help.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

It would be worth your time and $$ to haul it to DFW for one of the local cruiser guys to work on it- post up in the Lone Star Landcruiser page for help.

There you go, nothing better than a local club to help when it's needed and to save some cash.

 

[jppaeltz]

Yeah that's what I am thinking. 3200 is way too much. IDK Where he's getting it, I'll be talking to him tomorrow.

 

[Joe Egolf]

Put a diesel in it

 

[bigDcruiser]

if you're in dallas call ben cahill. he's located in forney and knows these old rigs very well. he's the local club mechanic. just had my '84 fj60 in for a/c work and there were at least 6 old landcruisers in his lot. seems to be and honest mechanic who knows his way around a 2f. Ben Cahill 214-914-3642. he worked for toyota of dallas for about 17 yrs.